League coaches pick UMaine women’s soccer seventh in preseason poll

August 13, 2012 5:17 pmUpdated: August 13, 2012 5:17 pm

ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine women’s soccer team was selected seventh in the 2012 America East Preseason Coaches’ Poll released Monday.

Boston University, which has won five straight America East titles, was chosen to win its sixth straight with eight first-place votes and 64 points overall. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.

Hartford was picked second and received the only remaining first-place vote and 56 overall points. Albany was selected third (48 points) for the second straight season, followed by New Hampshire (36), Stony Brook (33), Vermont (30), Maine (25), Binghamton (24) and UMBC (8).

Maine, which finished 5-9-1 last season, returns 10 letterwinners from a year ago and adds 10 newcomers to the 2012 roster, including three from Maine. Among the returning players are senior midfielder Maddie Hill and junior midfielder Maggie Malone, both named 2012 captains.

The Black Bears also have two 2011 America East All-Rookie selections returning in Jordan Pellerin of Waterville and Camille Varin-Tremblay.

Also returning is three-year starting goalkeeper and senior captain Meagan Price-Leibenzeder, who finished last season 5-9-1 with four shutouts.

Head coach Scott Atherley returns for his 14th season and will be assisted by Linda Hathorn and Jim Dyer.

Maine opens the season at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, against Bryant at Alumni Field in Orono.